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Crispy Lemon Butter Chicken Tenders

crispy lemon butter chicken tenders - featured image
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Crispy chicken tenders coated in a light flour and panko crust, topped with a fresh lemon butter sauce infused with herbs. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) fresh chicken tenders, trimmed if needed
  • ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for GF option)
  • ¾ cup (75 g) panko breadcrumbs
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 4 tablespoons (60 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • Juice and zest of 1 large lemon (about 2 tablespoons juice and 1 teaspoon zest)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (light olive oil preferred)
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels to remove moisture.
  2. In a shallow bowl, combine flour, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  4. Lightly coat each chicken tender in the flour mixture, shaking off excess, then dip into the flour again for a double coat.
  5. Press each tender into the panko breadcrumbs to coat evenly.
  6. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking, about 2 minutes.
  7. Cook chicken tenders in the skillet without overcrowding, about 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C). Reduce heat if coating browns too fast.
  8. While chicken cooks, mix softened butter with lemon zest, lemon juice, chopped parsley, thyme, chives, and red pepper flakes if using.
  9. Remove cooked chicken from pan and place on serving plate.
  10. Spoon lemon butter herb sauce generously over hot chicken tenders.
  11. Optional: For extra crispiness, place cooked tenders on a wire rack over a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes.

Notes

Pat chicken dry to ensure crispy coating. Use medium heat to avoid burning the crust. Soften butter before mixing with lemon and herbs for smooth sauce. For extra crispiness, bake tenders briefly after frying. Keep lemon butter sauce chilled until serving. Use gluten-free flour and panko for GF version. Vegan butter or olive oil can substitute butter for dairy-free option.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken tenders, lemon butter chicken, crispy chicken, homemade chicken tenders, fresh herbs, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe

Find it online: https://leilameals.com/crispy-lemon-butter-chicken-tenders-recipe-easy-homemade-fresh-herb-flavor/